HHS OCR report ยท 2020
Cook County Health data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Cook County Health
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Illinois
- Individuals affected
- 2,713
- Submission date
- Jan 24, 2020
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Cook County Health (CCH), the covered entity (CE), reported that the protected health information (PHI) of 2,713 individuals was impermissibly sent to its mailing vendor. The PHI involved included names, addresses, and email addresses. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In its mitigation efforts, the CE revised its policies and procedures and trained its staff on privacy protections. OCR obtained assurances that CCH implemented the corrective actions noted.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Cook County Health
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County Health | IL | Health Plan | 898 | Jul 2, 2021 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Cook County Health data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 2,713 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 24, 2020.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Cook County Health legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Cook County Health.